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Roman and Irish Missionaries in England
chief sage of learning" (Ardsui Erenn eolusa). This is
the King Aldfrid who wrote poetry in Irish and Latin.
Adamnan and Aldfrid are dealt with in these respects
elsewhere.
Oswald's mother, Acha, sister of King Eadwine, went
to Ireland with her sons. Information regarding Oswald's
acquirement of the Irish language is given in his life;
didicit et fidei documenta
"linguam Scottorum perfecte
quae prius a matre Christiana perceperunt gentis illius
credulae eruditione solidavit, et lavaero sacri baptismatis
pureficatus." 1
Other Irish annalists refer to the brothers. Tighernach,
using both Irish and Latin after his manner, speaks of
Eanfrid, the elder brother of Oswald, as having fought
a regular battle, and says that afterwards he was be-
headed; "Cath la (praelium per) Cathlon et Anfraith
qui decollatus est."
Adamnan relates a story in reference to the struggle
between Oswald and Cadwalla, which his predecessor had
heard from the abbot of lona, who claimed that he had
again heard it from the king himself. The night before
the battle of Heavenfield while Oswald was sleeping on
the ground in his tent St. Columcille appeared to him,
radiant with angelic beauty, and his stately height seemed
to reach the sky. The saint stood in the midst of the camp,
announced himself, and stretched
over the little army
his resplendent robe
of exiles, as if to protect them. He
promised to secure them victory over their enemies. At
that time there were only twelve of his companions who
were Christians, having been baptized with him among
the Irish. 2
iVita Oswaldi, 12 cent., by Reginald of Durham, Simeon of Durham, I,
341.
2 Vita S. Columbae.
215